The O’Colly staff at Oklahoma State University covered Charlie Kirk’s visit there on April 1, 2025. The following are some of the observations they reported under the headline “Kirk’s visit to Oklahoma State causes mixed reactions among students, other attendees.”
Kirk, founder and executive director of Turning Point USA, stopped at OSU as part of his “The American Comeback Tour.”
… He made a last-minute stop in Stillwater, with OSU’s Turning Point USA Chapter announcing his visit only five days before. Kirk was scheduled to speak from noon to 3 p.m., but students gathered at the tent labeled “PROVE ME WRONG” hours before Kirk assumed his post behind the mic.
… One student, Stone Lambert, heckled Kirk with a megaphone before the debates even began, while others cheered as Kirk entered.
… Two signs depicting Kirk as the devil stared down a “Jesus Loves You” sign, a juxtaposition of the personalities that came to hear Kirk speak.
… As Kirk made his way through a cheering crowd and spoke into the microphone for the first time, Lambert spoke into his as well, insulting Kirk and making crude jokes.
… Another student made his beliefs heard from the crowd, but he didn’t use a megaphone, and his message wasn’t about Kirk’s visit.
William Gibson stood toward the outside of the crowd holding a sign that said “Jesus Loves You,” which earned him both dirty looks and fist bumps.
… Despite Kirk’s sometimes volatile debates and social media posts, many OSU students maintained a respectful discourse.
